Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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02.11. (Wed) 20:45 Villarreal - Manchester City

UEFA Champions League - Manchester City FC v Villarreal CF, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko
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PROBABLE LINEUPS

VILLARREAL


Lopez
Gaspar, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Catala
Camunas, Bruno, Marchena, De Guzman
Borja Valero
Marco Ruben
MANCHESTER CITY


Hart
Richards, Kompany, Lescott, ClichyYaya Toure, BarryJohnson, Aguero, Silva
Balotelli
Villarreal have a plethora of injuries leading into the game against City. Marcos Senna, Marco Ruben, Cani and Cristian Zapata all picked up knocks against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend. Zapata has been ruled out for five weeks with strained ligaments, but with a shortage of options in attack, coach Juan Carlos Garrido will likely risk Marco Ruben if the forward can prove his fitness.

Star striker Giuseppe Rossi has dealt the club a hammer blow after injuring his cruciate knee ligament, and will subsequently be out of action for up to six months. Brazilian forward Nilmar is also still sidelined. World Cup winner Carlos Marchena will however return from a back injury, and will likely feature in midfield. Full-back Angel, who has been out of action since January with cruciate ligament damage, is back to full fitness but this fixture may arrive too early for him.


Manchester City, meanwhile, don't have any new injury worries ahead of their trip to El Madrigal. Mario Balotelli will feature in the Champions League for the first time this season after serving a three-game ban, while Adam Johnson's recent goalscoring form means he may be given the nod on the right flank.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • This is only the second time Villarreal and Manchester City have faced each other, the first was in the Champions League encounter a fortnight ago.
  • Villarreal have lost all three group games in the Champions League so far.
  • Manchester City have only competed in Europe’s premier club competition once before, in the 1968-69 season, going out in the first round to Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
  • Villarreal have featured in the Champions League group stage twice, reaching the semi-finals in 2005-06 and the quarter-finals in 2007-08, both times losing to Arsenal.
  • Villarreal have scored just 13 goals to Manchester City’s 48 in all competitions so far this season.
  • Despite City's relative lack of experience in Europe, two players who are likely to feature - Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure - have both won the competition previously. 
  • Villarreal have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Prediction
Villarreal's problems have been exacerbated with fresh injuries on the back of their poor run of form. They will therefore struggle against a City side who are in blistering form. However, Mancini's men have shown weaknesses in Europe and the Yellow Submarine will want to put their rough patch to bed - especially in front of their home fans. City, though, remain favourites, and will get the win they need to boost their chances of progression.
Editor's Prediction
Villarreal 1-3 Man City